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DisneyBound

Rafiki meet and greet

Image: Brittany DiCologero

DisneyBounding is definitely more popular with adults than kids (or at least compared to kids who are not dressed by their DisneyBounding parents) and it can be a great way to interact with some of your favorite characters. While not full costumes, DisneyBounding is the practice of wearing outfits inspired by classic Disney characters. If getting awesome pictures with characters is your goal then DisneyBounding can be an excellent way to do so.

Contrary to what many non-DisneyBounders believe, DisneyBounding does not need to be expensive. With a large online following, you’re sure to find plenty of ideas for how you can DisneyBound during your next trip with clothes that you already own. DisneyBounding is also helpful in making character meet and greets more interactive, and thereby allowing you to get the most out of the experience. More often than not, the characters will know who you’re DisneyBounding as and play off that in conversation.

Respect character integrity

Gaston meet and greet

Image: Theresa Colella

The most important part of meeting characters whether you have children or not is respecting character integrity. Character integrity means that each character is real, and as such there is only one of each character. It is the reason why when the afternoon parade steps off in the Magic Kingdom, characters meeting guests in other parts of the park who are in the parade will head backstage-- because since they are real they cannot be in two places at once.

Logistically (and because we’re all adults here) you can think what you want to on the matter. One of the reasons why Disney as an entertainment company does such an excellent job with character meet and greets in the parks is because of character integrity. Children who visit the parks know they are meeting the real characters, and that’s what makes their visit so special. If you can allow yourself to suspend a little bit of disbelief as an adult, you can experience those same feelings and meet the real characters too.

Rapunzel meet and greet

Image: Brittany DiCologero

If you just can’t let yourself believe, and you feel that you know for a fact exactly what is going on behind the scenes, keep it to yourself! Character integrity helps keep the magic alive for children and families visiting the parks, and even if you just can’t get over your sense of logic, plenty of other guests are there to enjoy themselves character integrity included. Saying things like “The performers must be hot,” or “Why don’t they just have more than one actor out,” can easily ruin the magic for guests around you, and are thoughts better kept to yourself.

Be yourself

Baymax meet and greet

Image: Theresa Colella

Unless your true self involves outing character integrity to other guests, don’t be afraid to be yourself when meeting characters! The negative stigma we often think of when we hear of childless adults meeting characters is partially perpetuated by those adults who do not feel comfortable doing so without kids. If you want to meet characters, then you meet characters. It’s your vacation and you shouldn’t be so concerned with what other people are thinking that it’s preventing you from having a good time.

Sure you may get a view looks from other guests but it’s honestly not going to actually impact your vacation. And the more likely scenario is that other guests won’t even take notice. Most guests in the park are in their own sort of bubble, so while you may feel self conscious there is a good chance that other guests don’t even take any notice to you at all. Character meet and greets can be fun for guests of all ages, and they should not be something to be made fearful of just because your party is made up entirely of adults.

 
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